In this video, the creator tests the updated ballistics mechanics in Star Citizen patch 4.3.1, focusing on the Guardian MX ship equipped with Revenant gutlings and Deadbolt ballistic weapons. The recent patch has made ballistics more effective, allowing them to penetrate shields more robustly and cause significant damage to armor once the shields are down. The creator compares the performance of different ballistic weapons, emphasizing the balance between speed, ammo capacity, and damage output for both PvE (Player vs Environment) and PvP (Player vs Player) scenarios.
The first part of the test involves using Revenant gutlings against smaller ships like the Gladius. Despite a common misconception that ballistics are ineffective until shields are depleted, the video demonstrates that damage is applied to the hull even when shields are still active. The gutlings prove to be very powerful, quickly reducing enemy shields and then devastating the ship’s armor. The creator highlights the advantage of these weapons in PvP due to their high speed and ammo efficiency, although they acknowledge that the 84BS guns, while slower and with less ammo, have higher DPS and are better suited for pure PvE.
Next, the creator engages a larger and fully manned Constellation ship, showing the effectiveness of the Guardian’s missile arsenal combined with the gutlings. Despite the Connie’s turrets posing a threat, the gutlings shred through its shields and armor efficiently. The creator praises the balance of power management on the Guardian, noting that the ballistics require less power, allowing more to be allocated to shields and engines. This results in a highly effective and versatile combat setup, although the limited ammo capacity means players need to restock frequently.
The video then shifts focus to testing Deadbolt ballistics, which have higher DPS but slower projectile speeds. While hitting smaller, agile targets like the Gladius is more challenging with Deadbolts, the damage output is substantial when shots connect. The creator recommends using a staggered firing mode for Deadbolts to maximize damage on shields and armor. Against the Constellation, Deadbolts prove even more effective than gutlings, quickly breaking down shields and destroying the ship with ease, making them ideal for PvE builds on larger ships like the Corsair and Connie.
In conclusion, the creator is very enthusiastic about the return and improvement of ballistics in Star Citizen 4.3.1, praising their balance and effectiveness in various combat scenarios. They suggest Revenant gutlings for mixed PvE and PvP roles due to their speed and ammo efficiency, while Deadbolts are better suited for pure PvE engagements. The video encourages viewers to try out the new ballistics on the PTU and share their thoughts, emphasizing that ballistics have made a strong comeback in the game’s current patch.
